Sunday, 18 January 2015

Can anyone else believe that in 12 days time its the end of January ALREADY..

Somehow after a weeks training in Adelaide I managed to loose a week and was hoping against all hope that yesterday was only the 10th and not the 17th of January -

apparently I as wrong....

No 1 son about to start Yr 10 and get his licence in May, Middle son is about to turn 12 on Australia Day and is in his final year at Primary School, Miss 3 is in Yr 4 and still rules the roost. We've now lived in Waikerie 8 years and its almost the longest time I have lived in one town, amazing how quickly time flies.

This year I made the resolution to finish some workshop projects - I may have a few starting from Australasian Quilt Convention in 2009 to Indulge in Stitches in 2014 - with lecturers from Anni Downs, Natalie Bird, Gloria Loughman, Braenda Gail, Gail Pan, Libby Richardson, Rosalie Quinlen, Melly Hurlseton (McNiece), Browyn Hayes from Red Brolly, Natalie Ross to name a few.

Block Keep from Indulge in Stitches 2014 designed by Robyn at Country Hart

Pincushion from Indulge in Stitches designed by Bronwyn at Red Brolly

Haven't I been lucky - to attend a workshop is such a wonderful experience for all and to be honest my first time I had no idea of what to expect but no matter where I have gone I have meet some wonderful people, many whom I can now call friends.

Mind you have some more to do... (and this is only part of them)

This is only from last years Indulge in Stitches

Spent the afternoon in Nays Place - added some more shelves (gotta love a quick detour to Ikea after training last week) over 40 bolts of fabric arriving next week - slowly running out of room, I think that's a good thing.

Stay tuned for more fabric photos to be uploaded to facebook and pinterest.

Not sure if I showed you all but I did participate in Gnome Angels mug mat swap - I received a parcel from Trayce W from USA - complete with some chocolates (mm they went pretty quickly)

Think I shared a sneak peak of mine..

Cant wait to show you the fabric that I have coming in and yes it will mean rearranging 'Nays Place'

Sunday, 11 January 2015

Was listening to the TV the other day whilst cooking tea and they were

talking about what it take to change a habit, way of life etc -

the magical number being 66 days...

( and depending on what era you are from - apparently it's not 42)

So this year I decided to take the challenge and do things for me in between working full-time, 3 children, a shift working husband, kids sports, and trying to get Nays Place up and running.

You know the normal things mums do but generally forget to add the 'for me' part into life - so no more collapsing after tea I now go into Nays Place and sew for an hour and am still opening on the weekends when possible - (check out my facebook page for opening times.)

So after being a closet stalker for 4 years I decided to take the plunge and challenge and join Chookybluesstitch-a-long I have watched these ladies challenge each other for many years, enjoyed the quilts and projects they have completed and even joined in secretly from the wings - buying my own books and following some of the projects.

I used my leftover threads to complete the picture using DMC, Cottage Garden Threads and Silk colours a little "mishmashed" but I'm using my stash. The 2 1/2" Squares are Moda Christmas Countdown pack that I have in the shop and decided it's a good as any...not sure if shop stock counts as my stash but I'm using it.......

Now to wait impatiently for the pattern to arrive -

thinking brights to take me outside my square but really not sure.

Admittedly the weather for the last couple of days has made it easy to stay inside and sew and not feel guilty about NOT doing the washing.

We've gone from 40+ degrees to cold wet and rainy, all within 10 days of each other.

Think these photos really show the extremes..

Land near Waikerie taking New Years Days

Then in the last 2 days we have had enough rain to help fill our new rainwater tank. I love the colours on our gum trees when it rains - my kids call them Shrek trees....

Went for a quick drive to Burra today to collect No 2 & 3 - they have been at Orroroo doing Vac Swim with a friend and then another friend had them for a couple of days as both my hubby and I were working and we decided that we need an excuse to go out for lunch.

If you haven't been you simply must try La Pecora Nera (the Black Sheep) at Burra....its YUMMY

Even my steak and 3 veg hubby managed to know back Pasta Beef Rangu and a Affagato for dessert.

And the crazy weather continued - No 2 needed a stop and this is us waiting for him at 3pm and yes that's fog not rain.....

Off to Adelaide tomorrow for a quick catch-up with relies and then some training for work.

Mum and Dad are coming to look after the kids as hubby on night shift - tell me what did I do when they were both working - so glad they have retired.

Getting excited for the next round of Cottage Gardens Thread Club to come out - I think I have managed to order some more will let you know this week...

This is me flying on New Years Day (that's me on the left) with my friends Nic - she knows I'm petrified of heights and I'm still not sure how she talked me into going flying in a little 2 seater Savannah plane but I would put me life in her hands without any hesitation and I can honestly say its magical up there...

Sunday, 4 January 2015

Cottage Garden Threads Collectors Club 2015

The first round of the Cottage Garden Threads Collectors Club
is finishing soon with the last posting expected within the next week.

Katie and her mum Pam are launching the second year of the club and it commences
in February 2015.

Pam and Katie have listed to your feedback and this year there have been a couple of changes.

It is a new program for 2015 with a whole new range of threads to collect.

Every month you will still receive four different threads (valued at $26.40), and a stitchery pattern that will be part of a progressive sampler that showcases the threads used with a variety of stitches as well - a great way to extend your stitching knowledge.

The monthly patterns are designed by Australian designers will have a vintage sewing theme which at the end of the 12 months will all combine to make a quilt - at this stage I do now know size or fabric requirements for the quilt.

All of the stitchery and sampler designs will come with coloured pictures as well to assist in your stitching.

The cost per month is normally $26.40 - Nays Place price is just $22 per month for residents of Australia - if you are international please enquire for postage cost.

Please remember that it is a 12 month commitment - starting Feb 2015

For payment options I am able to charge your credit card monthly, will accept personal cheque or bank deposit or paypal invoice charge

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About Me

Slighty Cuddly, totally disorganised mother of 3 with Mr 16 I'm ready to drive, Master I'm now 13 and the Princess 10 who controls us all and somewhere along the way my poor suffering husband. I work full-time as a Branch Manager for one of our local banks. I have my own 'man cave' Nays Place where I now open on Sundays for people to come and sit and enjoy some stitching, sewing, friendships and chocolate.
One Day it is my dream to open Nays Place full-time and create my own little piece of Elm Creek in Australia for us all to enjoy.